How to Remove Just About Anything From Carpet

From simple to extreme, these solutions will help you get rid of almost every carpet stain you may encounter at home.

Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1 / 19

Family Handyman

How to Get Slime Out of Carpet

If you or your little one love slime, you’re bound to make a few messes with it. And it creates a wreck in your carpet fibers. But don’t worry, slime is primarily made up of glue and the majority of glue is washable. Plain old white vinegar will get slime out of just about everything. It might take some elbow grease and patience, but you can get slime out of your carpet. Here are some more ways you can clean your home with white vinegar.

2 / 19

Family Handyman

Spilled paint on your carpet? Don’t panic, do this:

Dropping a loaded paintbrush on the carpet doesn’t mean you have to replace the carpet. Pour some denatured alcohol onto a rag and scrub away the paint. Use a rag that is as close in color to the carpet, as the alcohol can transfer some of the rag’s color to the carpet.

Remove Chewing Gum

Chewing gum is one of the most dreaded things to get stuck places—beneath your kitchen table, in your kid’s hair and yes, on your carpet. To remove gum from carpet, simply place ice on the gum for 5 to 10 minutes. It will harden and loosen the gum’s grip on the fibers, allowing you to scrape it off. Here are the best ways to get gum out of things.

7 / 19

Family Handyman

Get Wine and Pasta Stains Out of Carpet

Getting as much of the liquid and solids out of the carpet as quickly as possible is the single most important part of removing a carpet stain. But blotting and scooping can actually drive the stain deep into the carpet backing and pad. Instead, when learning how to remove wine and tomato sauce stains, reach for your wet/dry vacuum and vacuum up the spill. Here’s how to remove wine stains from carpet.

Remove Coffee Stains

Blot the stain with a clean white cloth (dyed fabric can transfer color to the carpet), working from the outside in. Your goal is to move the carpet fibers, spread the cleaner slightly, and soak up the stain. Avoid aggressive blotting, scrubbing and stomping on the blotter. That just drives the stain deeper into the pile, backing and padding, making stain removal even more difficult. After blotting, use your wet/dry vac again to remove as much cleaning solution as possible. Here are some tips for making the perfect cup of coffee.

Remove Oil Stains

Oil stains can be challenging to get out of carpet because they spread and stick to the fibers. The best way to extract oil is to spread a thick coat of baking soda across the area where the stain can be seen and leave it there until the sides form a dry crust. Then, vacuum up the residue. The stain will hopefully be much lighter, or gone altogether. You may have to repeat this process to get the oil stain completely out of the carpet. Here’s how to remove oil stains from 13 other items.

12 / 19

Family Handyman

For Hard to Remove Carpet Stains

Spray carpet cleaner on the stain and scrub it into the carpet with a spoon. Dab it dry with a clean white towel, then let the carpet air-dry (it will appear slightly darker until completely dry). Light-colored carpets and dark stains may require several scrubbings.

Don’t Stomp on Paper Towels

Using paper towels to blot up stains soaks up the surface liquid but still leaves a lot in the carpet. And stomping on those paper towels only makes it worse. That forces the liquid deeper into the padding and then into the subflooring. Instead, invest in a handheld carpet extractor. Don’t use a shop vacuum—the smell will linger in the filter and it’s much harder to clean than a small extractor. Hit the carpet as soon as possible and vacuum like there’s no tomorrow. Follow these tips to maintain a long-lasting carpet.

Fix Burned Carpet

You can patch a small hole, tear or burn in the carpet using techniques that will make the repair virtually invisible. You’ll need a small “plug” of carpet that matches the damaged piece. If you don’t have a remnant, you can steal a piece from inside a closet or underneath a piece of furniture you never intend to move. (This may sound extreme, but it’s a lot cheaper than replacing the entire carpet.) Here’s how to patch a damaged spot.

17 / 19

Family Handyman

Rescue Wet Carpet

When carpet gets soaked, you have to act fast. The longer it stays soggy, the more likely it is to stretch out, discolor or get moldy. If a large area is waterlogged, a complete replacement may be the best option. But if only a corner or a small room is soaked, you can save the wet carpet with just a couple of hours of work.

Deodorize with Borax, Essential Oils and Baking Soda

An essential part of carpet cleaning is deodorizing—especially when you have children and/or pets. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of borax (also known as sodium borate) with 10 drops of essential oil and 2 cups of baking soda. Spread the mixture on the carpet, allow it to dry and then vacuum it up.